Azad Singh Raju, 62, a former employee of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, died at a local polling station before casting his vote.

Azad Raju was among 24 candidates in the fray for the seven municipal bodies of Ramban district

Banihal/Jammu:

A BJP candidate died of heart attack Wednesday when he was about to cast his vote in the second phase of the municipal elections in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Azad Singh Raju, 62, a former employee of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, died at a local polling station before casting his vote, they said.

He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Mr Raju was among 24 candidates in the fray for the seven municipal bodies of Ramban district.

The second phase of the polling is in progress at 263 municipal wards spread across Jammu and Kashmir, including 214 wards, in six districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua in Jammu region.

The polling started at 6 am and will end at 4 pm.

Authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling which will seal the fate of 1,029 candidates.